Friday in Hawkville

WORD OF THE DAY
Fiddy. As in, One Fiddy – or 150. As in, the number of regular-season victories Mike Holmgren has after last week’s win at San Francisco.

The Seahawks coach was surprised after practice when he was awarded a game ball to commemorate the historic victory.

“It’s special,” Holmgren said. “One, it means I’m old. But it’s pretty neat. I take a lot of pride in giving out the game balls to the players. I want them to believe it’s special. It is.”

Glancing down at the game ball tucked under his left arm, Holmgren added, “This is just a lot of great players. A lot of hard work from assistant coaches.”

As nice as 150 was, especially because it came against the team that Holmgren began his NFL coaching career with, No. 151 would be even better if it came in Sunday’s big game against the Steelers in Pittsburgh.

“Probably more important that 150 is 151 right now,” Holmgren said. “We had a good week of practice. Now we have to go back and play a good football game against a good football team.”

Counting playoffs, Holmgren has 160 victories, which leaves him two shy of the Redskins Joe Gibbs for the top spot among active NFL coaches.

PLAYER OF THE DAY
Courtney Taylor. This was good, and bad. The rookie wide receiver made a couple of outstanding catches, but they came on the scout team while working against the Seahawks defense.

The first Taylor-made grab came when he went up and over cornerback Kelly Jennings in the end zone. The other was a nice catch of an even better throw by Seneca Wallace.

POSITION WATCH
Kickoff returner. This is a repeat from Thursday, because there seems to be some discrepancy over who will do it against the Steelers because Alvin Pearman was lost for the season when he tore a knee ligament against the 49ers and rookie Josh Wilson is expected to miss a game or two with a sprained ankle.

Thursday, special teams coach Bruce DeHaven said he planned to replace them with running back Maurice Morris and wide receiver Ben Obomanu. Friday, Holmgren said wide receiver Nate Burleson would return kickoffs.

Stay tuned …

INJURY REPORT
Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward will not play Sunday because of the sprained knee that forced him to miss last week’s game. He was officially listed as out when the injury report was released Friday. Also out is nickel back Bryant McFadden (high ankle sprain).

Regardless of Hines’ status, the Seahawks practiced all week as if he would play.

“I always expect everybody to play,” Holmgren said. “Honestly, I stopped reading that (injury list) a long time ago. Until I get the actual (inactive list) in my hand on game day … then believe it, once it’s on paper.”

Defensive tackle Rocky Bernard did not practice to rest a sore ankle and is listed as questionable, as are Steelers defensive tackle Casey Hampton (sore hamstring) and safety Troy Polamalu (strained abdomen). All three are expected to play.

Three Seahawks are listed as probable: running back Maurice Morris, who practiced Friday after sitting out Thursday to rest a sore hip; linebacker Will Herring (sore knee) and running back Shaun Alexander (cracked bone in wrist). Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (sprained foot) also is listed as probable.

QUOTE UNQUOTE
“Bobby, he would probably be in consideration on most games. He’s pretty valuable to us and does a nice job.” – Holmgren, on Engram getting the offensive game ball.